Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 176: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she has plans to review the decision to develop a new children's hospital on the Mater Hospital site, Dublin; her views on the view of this Deputy that the choice of the Mater site is a mistake and that this particular site is generally not accessible and represents serious difficulties; her further views on the difficulties which this decision creates for those families currently catered for in Crumlin Children's Hospital and the National Children's Hospital at Tallaght; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19393/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Children's Health First report commissioned by the Health Service Executive indicated that the population and projected demands in this country can support only one world class tertiary paediatric hospital. It recommended that the hospital should be in Dublin and should, ideally, be co-located with a leading adult academic hospital. Following detailed consideration, it was decided that the most appropriate location for the new National Paediatric Hospital is at the Mater Hospital.

The hospital will also include an associated Ambulatory and Urgent Care Centre at Tallaght which is to open in advance of the new hospital. This Centre will offer a wide range of services including urgent care consultations, outpatient services and day surgery. This will ensure that many children who do not require admission can continue to access care locally.

There are no plans to review the decision regarding the location of the hospital. The decision was reached after an objective, transparent analysis, and the Government is committed to proceeding with the project as a priority.